The Singapore government is conducting its third nationwide mask collection exercise since the Covid-19 outbreak began, this time with an improved version of the reusable face mask. Singapore gives out free masks (surgical masks & reusable) previously.
Facebook/ Chan Chun Sing, People’s Association
From May 26 to June 14, these masks can be collected for free at 400 24-hour vending machines situated in community centres (CCs) across the island.
They can also be collected at CC and Residents’ Committee (RC) counters from 10am to 6pm until June 1.
The latest collection exercise includes masks of two sizes: adult size and kid size, which is suitable for children under 12 years old.
The kid size masks are produced by Ramatex in collaboration with A*STAR, while the adult size masks are made by Ghim Li in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University.
Both types of reusable masks are made of at least three layers of material and have a filtration efficiency of at least 95 per cent, even after 30 washes, the People’s Association (PA) said.
New materials used for these masks also improve their resistance to droplets while providing better comfort for users.
Around 150 SAF servicemen and about 40 military vehicles were used for breaking bulk and transporting the reusable masks to the CCs across Singapore, PA said.
Singapore gives out free masks
Kid size masks are only for children 12 years old and below, and can be collected with the child’s identity documents.
Adults will need to bring their own identity cards for the collection of the adult size masks.
Both masks are available at the vending machines and collection counters, and can be redeemed by scanning the barcode on one’s identity document.
There are 400 mask vending machines in Singapore that operate 24 hours a day. Singaporeans can check where their nearest collection point is by keying in their postal code on the maskgowhere.gov.sg website.
You do not need to personally collect the masks. To avoid overcrowding, one family member can collect the masks on behalf of the entire household with their government-issued identification cards.
Of course, people who collect the masks will be required to observe safe distancing rules and have their temperature taken at the collection point.
According to PA, all high-touch areas on the vending machines are treated with self-disinfecting coating which can last for three months. The vending machines will also be cleaned and restocked regularly, it said.